2017 in comics


Notable events of 2017 in comics. It includes any relevant comics-related events, deaths of notable comics-related people, conventions and first issues by title.

Events and publications

March

  • March 4–5: During the Stripdagen, comics writer Willem Ritstier receives the Stripschapprijs, while Frits Jonker wins the P. Hans Frankfurtherprijs. The Bulletje en Boonestaakschaal is awarded to Albert van Beek.
  • March 24: The Dutch comics series Claire by The Wirojas ends it 29 years of publication in the Belgian women's magazine Flair.
  • 31 March to 2 April: WonderCon.
  • March to June: I Will Survive, a webcomic published on DeviantArt by William Borba

    April

  • April 9: In Antwerp, Belgium, next to the Central Station the theme park Comics Station is officially opened, which puts a spotlight on various Belgian comics characters.
  • April 15: The final issue of the Belgian satirical comics and cartoons magazine Pan is published.
  • April 21: Canadian comics artist Gisèle Lagacé makes headlines when she is denied entry near the U.S.-Canadian border for a couple of hours for no particular reason.

    May

  • May 8:
  • * Ken Bald makes the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest active comics artist in the world. He broke this record before on 4 March 2015.
  • * American web comics artist Matt Furie decides to kill off his character Pepe the Frog after it became associated with white nationalism, against his will. The event makes headlines all over the Internet.
  • May 11: Hollywood actress Goldie Hawn reveals that, at age 19, she was sexually intimidated by comics artist Al Capp. According to her he tried inviting her to his casting couch, which she refused, much to his anger. She'd had told this anecdote before in a 1985 interview with Playboy, but only now it receives more media attention.
  • May 13: In Kansas City comics store owner James Dale, "Jim", Cavanaugh tries to stop a shoplifter, but is thrown to the ground, hitting his head. He is brought to the hospital, where he dies. He was 66 or 67 years old.

    July

  • July 12: The first posthumous The Adventures of Nero story, De Zeven Vloeken, starts serialisation in Knack, eight months after the death of Marc Sleen. The artist of this homage comic is Kim Duchateau.
  • July 20–23: San Diego Comic-Con,.
  • Specific date unknown in July: Archie Comics confirmed that the long-running Sonic [the Hedgehog |Sonic the Hedgehog] comic book series will be discontinued after their final issue in December 2016 as Archie ended their partnership with Sega, as well as poor reception with the retconned continuity from Ken Penders' departure.

    August

  • August 21: Nero receives a comics mural in Middelkerke, Belgium, as part of the local Comic Book Route.

    September

  • September 21: The final episode of Aloys Oosterwijk's gag comic Willems Wereld is published.
  • September 23: The first Ringo Awards are handed out, voted by comics professionals and fans.
  • September 26: Jean-Marc van Tol, John Reid and Bastiaan Geleijnse win the Inktspotprijs for Best Political Cartoon.

    October

  • October 12: Margreet de Heer is elected as first Dutch Stripmaker des Vaderlands for a period of three years.
  • October 13: Tubbs Fire: during a fire in Santa Rosa, California, the house of late Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz burns down to the ground. His widow is saved.

    November

  • November 2–3: Second annual WES Feminist Comic Con held in Pakistan.
  • November 10–12: Rhode Island Comic Con

    December

  • December 17: Iranian cartoonist Ali Dorani, better known as Eaten Fish, is finally released from his detention in a refugee camp in Manus Island, where he spent five years. By making comics and cartoons about his imprisonment, which were smuggled out the camp, he was able to bring international attention to his case, which led to sympathy campaigns that eventually solidified his release.
  • December 18: Geneviève Gautier publishes her comic book Les Aventures du Pingouin Alfred. The event receives a lot of media attention since, at age 95, she is the oldest person to ever publish a comic book.

    Specific date unknown

  • Amby Vaingankar launches her webcomic series AmbyComics, also known as Gotta Sketch 'Em All.
  • Esther González launches her webcomic series Miss Pad Thai.
  • Gary Panter releases the graphic novel Songy of Paradise.
  • Mimi Pond's graphic novel The Customer is Always Wrong is published.

    Deaths

January

;Batman: [The Dark Prince Charming]
;Lazarus X+66
;Sleepless
;Spencer & Locke
;Tomb Raider: Survivor's Crusade
;X-Men Blue
;''X-Men Gold''